In light of the recent loss of Anerican actor Robin Williams it is important to take a moment to reflect. A well respected man in the acting community he was known for his talent and comedic style which was truly one of a kind. What many people don’t know though is that he was equally as generous as he was talented.

Robin Williams dedicated time and energy to spreading laughter around the world and also donating to worthy causes. He often resisted recognition for his efforts but was revered in many circles for his quiet giving nature.

The West Seattle Food Bank recently revealed that Williams raised nearly $50,000 between 2004-2008. He held comedy shows in Seattle and donated all of the proceeds helping people get basic needs met.

Williams was also dedicated to entertaining the troops. He went on six USO tours between 2002 to 2013, five overseas. He visited the troops in 12 countries, including both Iraq and Afghanistan. During his trips he made time to talk to the troops and create a personalized comedic experience to make everyone feel included.

As a result of his tragic death, suicide awareness has recently increased. Mental illnesses are often swept under the rug in the United States and the shocking death of Williams who suffered from severe depression has caused the country to take note that something must be done. Volunteers for mental health advocacy have increased and mental health advocacy groups have also seen a recent surge.

It is important to send the right message to the public. Mental illnesses impact millions around the world. There are many resources that can help and that you can donate your time and energy to.

Mycharitymap is a great site to connect to charities around the world. You can search for charities by keywords, charity names and by location. There are many charities that need resources such as the International Suicide Prevention nonprofit and others that focus on mental illness and suicide prevention.

So no matter what it is, get involved and find your cause on the map!